The All Blacks were often on the back foot, but a clinical three-try performance helped them beat a wasteful France 24-19 in their final Test of the season at the Stade de France.
First five-eighth Beauden Barrett scored a try and kicked nine points to add to Israel Dagg and Charlie Faumuina's tries, ensuring the All Blacks remained unbeaten in Paris since 1973.
Beauden Barrett scores against France in their season-ending win Photo: Photosport
Look back at how the match unfolded here.
Maxime Machenaud kicked two penalties while Baptiste Serin slotted two penalties and a conversion as France, who scored a try through Louis Picamoles, failed to make their first-half domination count.
"They are cold-blooded killers," said France captain Guilhem Guirado.
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen, whose team suffered their only defeat this year against Ireland at the start of the month, said: "We are very happy with our team. To come out of the World Cup and do what we have done this year playing some good rugby we can be proud."
All Blacks captain Kieran Read concedes they could have played better against the nation they beat 62-13 in last year's World Cup, but said he was happy with his side's gutsy effort.
"Probably the difference between this week and last week is our discipline was a lot better so we didn't have to keep defending and giving away penalties, so that was a positive," he said.
"It obviously meant we got the ball a bit more and it was certainly not perfect, but we'll take it."
The All Blacks end their 2016 season with 13 wins from 14 games, with their only loss against Ireland in Chicago.
For France, who were coming off a narrow loss to Australia, their improvements under new manager Guy Noves bode well for next year's Six Nations, starting with a tough trip to Twickenham to face Eddie Jones's England.
- AAP
